Revision of Calculus Sequence

College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Mathematics

The Mathematics Department has instituted several substantial
changes to its offerings in Calculus. The two quarter Math 111-112
precalculus/calculus for Business majors was recently reduced in
size from 300-500 students per class to 160 per class. New materials
for this course were developed by math faculty in consultation with
the School of Business Administration. A new three-quarter sequence,
Calculus for Life Sciences, was developed in consultation with six
departments and programs in the biological sciences and psychology.

Now, with this Tools for Transformation grant, substantial changes
will be made to the first two quarters of our main calculus sequence
for physical science and engineering students, Math 124-125. These
improvements include a reduction of the lecture size from 160 to 81
students, a reduction of the quiz section size from 40 to 27,
lengthening one section per week from 50 minutes to 80 minutes,
development of special materials for use in these smaller and longer
sections, and the adoption of a new text. The department has agreed
to increase its teaching load to contribute to the resources
needed to fund these changes. A unique feature of the transformation
is to bring community college teachers to campus under a sabbatical
program to work jointly on curriculum with UW math faculty in order
to smooth the transition for our many transfer students. A special
version of Math 124-5-6 for students in Mathematical Sciences has
also been instituted.

These changes will be funded under the Tools for Transformation
grant for three years. Assessments throughout the period will be
provided in cooperation with the Center for Instructional
Development and Research and the Office of Educational Assessment.
The Graduate School has also contributed funds for the assessment of
graduate teaching assistants. The Dean of Arts and Sciences has
agreed to permanently fund the program, if it proves successful.
These changes will result in a substantial improvement of the
educational experience for thousands of UW students.